Hampton City Schools Posts Region’s Highest On-Time Graduation Rate for Third Consecutive Year

HCS Class of 2026 achieves a 98.84% on-time graduation rate and 0.48% dropout rate, outperforming the state across EVERY reported student group

• Hampton City Schools continues to demonstrate strong student outcomes, earning the highest on-time graduation rate in the region for the Class of 2026.
  
• The division posted a 98.84% on-time graduation rate, 5.3 percentage points higher than Virginia’s statewide rate of 93.5%. HCS also recorded a 0.48% dropout rate, well below the statewide rate of 4.7%.
  
• The Class of 2026 results mark the SEVENTH consecutive year Hampton City Schools has achieved an on-time graduation rate above 95% and the SIXTH consecutive year with a dropout rate below 1%.

 

HCS Outperforms the State Across Every Reported Student Group

Beyond the divisionwide results, Hampton City Schools students outperformed their statewide peers across every reported student group in on-time graduation rates.

Highlights include:

• Students with disabilities achieved a 99.5% on-time graduation rate, compared with 91.3% statewide.
• Economically disadvantaged students graduated on time at a rate of 98.4%, compared with 90.9% statewide.
• African American students achieved a 98.9% on-time graduation rate, compared with 92.8% statewide.
• Hispanic students earned a 98.1% on-time graduation rate, exceeding the state rate of 86.9% by 11.2 percentage points.
• Homeless students graduated on time at a rate of 96.4%, compared with 79.4% statewide — a difference of 17 percentage points.
• English Learners earned an 87.5% on-time graduation rate, compared with 81.4% statewide.

Asian students, military-connected students and foster care students each achieved a 100% on-time graduation rate.

Students who earn a high school equivalency credential, such as a GED, or who complete high school without earning a diploma are not counted as graduates when calculating the on-time graduation rate. When all successful high school completions are included, Hampton City Schools’ Class of 2026 completion rate is 99%, compared with the statewide completion rate of 94.3%. HCS celebrates every student who successfully completes high school and remains committed to ensuring each graduate is prepared for a successful transition to college, career, military service, or another postsecondary pathway.

To view the comparison of Hampton’s student performance groups to the state’s student performance groups, click here or visit https://bit.ly/4y7Rimw.

Dropout Rate Remains Well Below State Average

Hampton City Schools also continues to maintain a dropout rate significantly below Virginia’s statewide average.

The Class of 2026 dropout rate for HCS is 0.48%, compared with 4.7% statewide — a difference of 4.2 percentage points.

HCS dropout rates were lower than statewide rates across every reported student group, including:

• Students with disabilities: 0.5% in HCS compared with 6.8% statewide
• Economically disadvantaged students: 0.4% compared with 5.9% statewide
• African American students: 0.3% compared with 4.5% statewide
• Hispanic students: 1.9% compared with 11.3% statewide
• Homeless students: 0% compared with 14.7% statewide

“Once again, our Class of 2026 results demonstrate what is possible when a school division remains focused on every student, every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Raymond L. Haynes. “To have the highest on-time graduation rate in our region, while continuing to significantly outperform the state overall and across our student groups, is something our entire community can be proud of.”

Haynes continued, “These results are the product of intentional work throughout the K–12 continuum and the high expectations we set for every student. They reflect the commitment of our students, teachers, administrators, staff, families, School Board, City Council, and community partners to ensuring students receive the opportunities and support they need to succeed. We will continue strengthening instruction, expanding meaningful learning experiences, and preparing every graduate for college, careers and life.”